21.5.16

39 Insanely Stupid Things You Should Probably Stop Doing

1. Putting your own opinion to a
fact. Unless you’re 100% certain – it’s not a fact, and you’re probably making
it worse.

2. Waiting for something better
to come along before you quit the thing you hate. This goes out to all the
people stuck in dead end jobs, mismatched relationships, and boring social
circles. Tomorrow never comes.

3. Not asking someone out because
you think they are out of your league. Give them a chance to make that
decision, not you.

4. Worrying about the traffic jam
making you late for work, getting caught in the downpour without a jacket, or
forgetting to get back to someone after you made a promise. Shit happens, get
over it.

5. Thinking you’re more important
than anyone else. You’re not. You’re just as important as everyone else.

6. Blaming other people when shit
hits the fan. If it’s your own fault, admit it. If it’s not, then assume the
person responsible is fully aware – they don’t need you pointing it out.

7. Forcing your religious beliefs
onto another person. Well done – you’re a
Christian/Muslim/Buddhist/Atheist/Jedi… whatever, do you want a medal?

8. Being afraid to spend money.
You worked hard to earn it – so do something with it.

9. Waiting for a magical sum of
money to appear. There is never enough – the sooner you realise this, the
sooner you can start living.

10. Buying lottery tickets. See
number 9.

11. Believing something to be true
because you heard it from an authority. Do your own research. Form your own
judgment. Trust your own instincts.

12. Ignoring your instincts. They’ll
keep you alive.

13. Ignoring advice. Even if it
seems misplaced – it probably comes from personal experience – which makes it
completely relevant.

14. Refusing to watch a movie,
read a book or buy a product just because it’s popular. One day, you’ll miss
out on something amazing.

15. Looking too far into the
future. It will never exist.

16. Trying to erase the past. It
happened – accept it.

17. Ignoring the present moment.
This shit is happening so pay attention.

18. Focusing too much on making a
good impression. They will see the ‘you’ that they see – and there’s not a lot
you can do about it. If you act with integrity, treat them with respect and
look them in the eye – you’ve successfully played your part in their life
story.

19. Allowing other people to write
your story. Save that for when you’re dead.

20. Giving someone a lecture about
a subject you know nothing about. People are remarkably good at sniffing out
bullshit.

24. Blaming yourself for not
realising something was wrong. You didn’t know because they didn’t want you to
know. End of.

25. Suffering in silence. It’s not
your fault. It’s an illness, and people give a shit. Let someone in – even if
it’s one person – it could change your life.

26. Being scared of success. Fear
is an essential part of life and expecting it to go away will always end in
disappointment. Some of the world’s greatest entertainers get nervous before a
performance. Some of the world’s greatest athletes are full of self-doubt as
they face their opponent. Some of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs, innovators,
and CEO’s question their own products the night before a big launch. Always be
afraid – never stand still.

27. Doing the same thing over and
over, and expecting a different result. If something isn’t working then try
something new.

28. Aiming for perfection and
avoiding mistakes. The person who never made a mistake – never made anything.

29. Living your life vicariously
through others. Great writers will always take you along for the ride, but
learn the difference between inspiration and imaginary. The brain is easily
fooled into thinking it was really there.

30. Reading ‘The Secret’. The
universe is just as lazy as you are. Do yourself, and it, a favour by at least
meeting it halfway. Sitting on your fat ass and wishing for a better life is
the reason why you have a fat ass in the first place. Expect brain-rot to kick
in next.

31. Being jealous. It ruins lives.

32. Believing there is an ‘us’ and ‘them’.
Quit your whining, work harder, and meet the right people – all within your
capability.

33. Feeling pressured into
following the crowd. If you really don’t want to do something, then you have
every right to say no.

34. Using silence as your
preferred method of communication. If someone sends you a text, then you reply.
If you have to let someone down, then tell them. If there is a date you cannot
make, a deadline you cannot hit or an agreement you no longer wish to honour –
then speak up.

35. Following the news. It’s
negative, untrustworthy, and it will not enhance your life in any way, shape or
form.

36. Getting involved in online
arguments. You may as well be talking to yourself.

38. Giving up something you really
want because it’s difficult. Everything you’ve ever done was difficult at some
stage. As a small kid you learned how to read, write, and recall 26 random
characters – in sequence. You reached fluency in one of the most challenging
languages ever created. You went from the comfort and safety of your home to
spending most of your days in an alien environment cooped up with 20 likeminded
strangers. You dealt with ghosts in the night, monsters under the bed, and
lived in a world of giants. Do you think your life is difficult? Your 5 year
old self is mocking you right now. Man up.

39. Forgetting numbers 1 through
to 38. Go back and find the one which resonates with you the most.